{"product_id":"take-a-picture-of-me-james-van-der-zee","title":"Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e By Andrea J. Loney, Illustrated by Keith Mallett \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA biography of James Van Der Zee, innovative and celebrated African American photographer of the Harlem Renaissance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames VanDerZee was just a young boy when he saved enough money to buy his first camera. He took photos of his family, classmates, and anyone who would sit still for a portrait. By the fifth grade, James was the school photographer and unofficial town photographer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEventually he outgrew his small town and moved to the exciting, fast-paced world of New York City. After being told by his boss that no one would want his or her photo taken “by a black man,” James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem. He took photographs of legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance-politicians such as Marcus Garvey, performers including Florence Mills, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and Mamie Smith-and ordinary folks in the neighborhood too. Everyone wanted fancy portraits by James VanDerZee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardcover \/ 10.5 × 9 in \/ 40 pages \/ ages 7 to 11\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lee \u0026 Low Books Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42584232591406,"sku":"9781620142608","price":20.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/1113\/8094\/files\/74b97e66539ed32b5c98bae59afc45c20c6b5c26f3a41cc4ea894b3165baa75a.jpg?v=1785011681","url":"https:\/\/shop.artsbma.org\/products\/take-a-picture-of-me-james-van-der-zee","provider":"SHOP ARTS BMA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}